Operation Vala Umgodi pounce on five illegal miners and seized mining equipment

The well-co-ordinated Operation Vala Umgodi in Vhembe District, conducted by the multi-disciplinary forces, arrested five illegal miners aged between 27 and 40, and also seized mining equipment at Muchipisi village in Malamulele policing area on 07 November 2024.

The team received information that they accurately followed up, and they caught the suspects processing the suspected precious minerals while others operating the penduka machine.

Five suspects were then arrested for illegal mining, and three of them were charged with additional offence of contravention of the immigration act.

The Police seized equipment as follows:
– 01 x Phenduka
– 01 x Iron Square tube
– 01 x Spade
– 02 x Phenduka steel stands
– 07 x Plastic Bowels
– 03 x Buckets
– 01 x Weelbarrow (Blue with orange wheel)
– 01 x Weelspanner
– 65 x Iron Grinding balls
– 01 x Bag of suspected precious minerals (green in color).

The suspects are expected to appear before Malamulele Magistrate’s Magistrate’s Court soon.

The police investigations are ongoing.